Immigration and asylum issues were the focus of a meeting in Nicosia on Friday between Interior Minister Nikos Nouris and his French counterpart Gérald Darmanin, who paid a one-day visit. The French Foreign Minister stated that he is ready to contribute to the satisfaction of the request of the Ministry of Interior of the Republic for taking the initiative to open cooperation with French-speaking countries of sub-Saharan Africa with the aim of promoting voluntary returns of migrants whose asylum applications are rejected.
The two Ministers attended extensive consultations, with the participation of officials, discussed and exchanged views on a number of issues of common interest with particular reference to asylum and immigration issues, but also civil protection, in view of France's assumption of the EU Presidency. ., during the first half of 2022.
Mr. Darmanin conveyed the solidarity of the French Government to the Republic of Cyprus and stated, according to an announcement, that during the forthcoming French Presidency of the European Union, the priority will be the control of the external borders, but also the solidarity with the Member States first such as Cyprus.
The Minister of Interior, it is noted in the announcement, initially expressed his support for the French Presidency in order for the new European Pact to move forward, emphasizing that for Cyprus not only the protection of the border and the green line are important, but also the returns of third-country nationals in their countries of origin.
Mr. Nouris briefed his counterpart on the situation in Cyprus regarding the increased migratory flows and the disproportionate pressures in the reception sector, noting that recently there has been a vertical increase in arrivals from the African continent.
He further informed that 80% of the illegal immigrants in Cyprus come from Turkey, through the occupied territories and the Green Line and therefore, he stressed, a special way is needed to deal with and solve the problem.
Mr Darmanin, for his part, conveyed the French Government 's solidarity with the Republic of Cyprus. He stated that during the forthcoming French Presidency of the European Union, the priority will be the control of the external borders, but also the solidarity with the front line member states, such as Cyprus “, it is added in the announcement.
He noted that he was ready to contribute to the request of the Ministry of Interior of the Republic of Macedonia to take the initiative to open cooperation with French-speaking countries of sub-Saharan Africa with the aim of promoting voluntary returns of migrants whose asylum applications are rejected.
During the meeting, there was a convergence of views in important areas, such as the protection of external borders, given the common challenges facing the two countries, Cyprus as a front-line Member State and France as a host country.
Regarding the new European Pact on Immigration and Asylum, the two Ministers agreed that it is necessary to reach an agreement on the basis of equal and fair application of the principles of solidarity and responsibility.
Finally, emphasis was placed on the issues of civil protection and firefighting.
Mr. Nouris expressed the desire of the Republic of Cyprus to participate in the European Union RescEU program, in which France also participates, reiterating the proposal for the creation of an aircraft base for firefighting, which will aim at the fastest response for both Cyprus and our neighbors in countries where they face similar fire problems.
ΚΥΠΕ
